From April 9 to 11, 2024, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) conducted Operation Home Alone 2024, an online undercover operation targeting suspects who utilized the internet to prey upon children.
Collin County Sheriff’s investigators, in collaboration with agents from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Police Department, and Plano Police Department, made a total of 15 arrests during Operation Home Alone 2024. Of those arrested, 10 individuals were charged with Online Solicitation of a Minor and 5 individuals were charged with Soliciting Prostitution of a Person Less than 18 years of age. Additionally, investigators seized 13.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine and two firearms.
During the operation, investigators also seized a large number of electronic devices that were used by these individuals to commit their crimes. These devices will undergo forensic examination which may result in additional criminal charges being filed.
Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner stated, “Operation Home Alone 2024 serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of online communications for children. Cell phones, gaming devices, and online computers are hunting grounds for individuals who seek to prey upon children and I implore parents and guardians to speak to their children about the inherent dangers these devices present. Make no mistake, my deputies remain resolute in their efforts to protect children in our community from those who seek to do them harm and my hat goes off to them, and the investigators from participating agencies, for their work on Operation Home Alone 2024.”
The Operation was a cooperation between the Plano Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety - North Texas Region, Dallas Police Department, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Collin County Criminal District Attorney's Office, North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Operation Underground Railroad.
